TORONTO — From resorts to vacation home rentals, local attractions and world-famous theme parks, Experience Kissimmee, the ‘Big Bold Heart of Florida,’ is making a solid appearance with its northern neighbour this week with a four-city sales mission lineup for 2024.
After a successful initial trade event stop Monday in Niagara Falls, the sales mission moved on to Toronto yesterday with an upbeat partner appreciation luncheon event at one of Toronto’s star attractions, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.
“This is an appreciation lunch to thank you for your support,” said Denise Graham, account director for Experience Kissimmee in Canada.
In line with National Truth & Reconciliation Day on Monday, Graham also presented participants with a small token gift book from Indigenous painters in Canada, “to commemorate this special and important week.”
The mix-and-mingle reception, followed by lunch, allowed partners to meet six supplier representatives. Most flew up from Florida for the first time to participate in the cross-country mission, including Yinglu Tian, Senior Director of International and Domestic Sales.
Tian confirmed Canada has been “striking it” since coming out of the pandemic, remaining one of the three top global markets for the destination. Moreover, a significant 15% increase in air arrivals over 2019 is a testament to the plentiful flight options available to the Canadian market.
Yesterday’s luncheon included updates from all six of Experience Kissimmees’ supplier representatives.
Here’s a look at the highlights …
WILD FLORIDA
Wild Florida, located 30-45 minutes southeast of any major corridors of hotels or parks, offers a unique experience. Unlike other theme parks, it focuses on three main attractions: airboat tours, a Gator Park and a drive-through safari, offering guests a ride, walk, or drive adventure option.
According to representative PJ Brown, the park is a half-day attraction and is perfect for anyone with 3-4 hours to spare without the commitment of a full-day visit or cost.
Other unique, lesser-known opportunities include animal encounters and VIP options for a private boat or safari with an animal curator.
DEZERLAND PARK
Florida’s largest indoor attraction unfolds across a sprawling 850,000 square feet; DezerlandPark offers 20 plus indoor attractions, dining, shopping, and a movie theatre.
Not to be overlooked is the vast auto museum, showcasing more than 2,000 cars from the early 1920’s to vehicles used in movies such as Ghostbusters, Back to the Future and the James Bond series.
Fun fact: Whether it’s a rainy day or 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the park is air-conditioned and always an excellent opportunity for indoor fun.
REUNION RESORT & GOLF CLUB
A well-known gated community resort and Canadian favourite in the Disney area, the Reunion Resortoffers one, two and three-bedroom apartment suites and villas across six communities along with over 80 separate vacation homes – plenty of options to accommodate groups of all sizes.
Additional lures for clients to consider are the resort’s three championship golf courses, 10 swimming pools, and a five-acre water park.
Bookings can be made directly or via a tour operator partner.
ONE VACATION HOMES
One Vacation Home is a property management company in Orlando specializing in family-friendly vacation rentals ranging from two to 10 bedrooms.
They have over 100 homes in the prime Kissimmee Davenport area. The properties offer spacious, private accommodations with home-like amenities such as private pools and barbeque areas, perfect for families to relax and unwind after a day at the parks.
WALT DISNEY PARKS & RESORTS
Jennifer Rivard, Wholesale Sales Manager for Disney in Canada, shared some exciting updates, including a just-completed massive multi-year expansion at Epcot and a revamp of the classic Splash Mountain attraction – now Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – at the Magic Kingdom. The much-loved ride still offers a thrilling plummet at the end.
Hollywood Studios will soon introduce an all-new land, Monsters Inc., based on the Pixar movie, featuring an exciting new rollercoaster to look forward to.
Construction is also underway for two new lands: the highly anticipated Tropical Americas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, featuring an Indiana Jones theme, and Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
For Canadian residents, there are currently two special offers in the market. Guests can save up to 25% on select Walt Disney Resort Hotels (specific dates apply). There’s also a ticket offer with 25% or more savings on a four-day or longer theme park ticket valid until Sept. 29, 2025 (if purchased by Nov. 6, 2024). Both offers can be combined.
UNE HOMES
A vacation home management company, UNE Homes offers over 200 well-appointed properties ranging from two to 12 bedrooms for unforgettable Florida escapes.
The guest services team is available 24/7, before, during and after the guest stay, and they also provide additional features such as grocery delivery, early/late checkouts, baby equipment and catering services.
For more information on Experience Kissimmee, see www.experiencekissimmee.com.
